Safety device for fluid filled mattresses

ABSTRACT

In order to prevent flooding in the event of a leakage or break in a fluid filled mattress, the mattress is surrounded by a lining in the bed frame or the like, and the lining has a drainage outlet connected to a safety bag under the bed, whereby the water escaping from the mattress into the lining is drained into the safety bag below the bed; means being provided for draining the water out of the safety bag at will; there may be provided also a cover over the top of the fluid filled mattress to completely enclose the mattress in the bed.

United States Patent [1 Carson, Jr.

Jan. 2, 1973 [75] Inventor: Robert N. Carson, Jr., San Rafael,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Carson Manufacturing Co., San

Rafael, Calif.

[22] Filed: March 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 122,699

[52] US. Cl ..5/348, 4/177 [5 1] Int. Cl ..A47c 27/08 [58] Field ofSearch ..5/348-350, 60, 5/90; 4/177, 174; 269/327; 128/9 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,456,270 7/1969 Weinstein et al ..5/3483,585,356 7/l97l Hall ..5/348 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay

Assistant Examiner-Andrew M. Calvert Attorney-George B. White [57]ABSTRACT In order to prevent flooding in the event of a leakage or breakin a fluid filled mattress, the mattress is surrounded by a lining inthe bed frame or the like, and the lining has a drainage outletconnected to a safety bag under the bed, whereby the water escaping fromthe mattress into the lining is drained into the safety bag below thebed; means being provided for draining the water out of the safety bagat will; there may be provided also a cover over the top of the fluidfilled mattress to completely enclose the mattress in the bed.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJM I975 13. 707. 735

INVENTOR ROBBFTNlMRSONJR BYz in ATTORNEY SAFETY DEVICE FOR FLUID FILLEDMATTRESSES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the most important risksof fluid filled mattresses or beds is the danger of being punctured orotherwise developing a leak whereby the fluid escapes and floods theenvironment. Such flooding may result in short circuits of electricwiring, and other extensive l BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1is a fragmental cross-sectional view illustrating the fluid filledmattress and the safety bag in rela tive position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating the escape of fluidinto and through the safety bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION A fluid filled mattress 1 made out of a flexible firmbag, which is adapted to be filled through a filling valve 2, is placedinto a bed 3. The bed has a waterproof lining 4 covering the bottom andsides and ends of the bed so as to completely surround and confine themattress l in the bed 3. On the bottom of the lining 4 is a drainageconduit 6 which extends through the bottom of the bed. The bed 3 isprovided with legs 7 or similar supports to space the bottom of the bedfrom the floor. In the space between the legs 7 is provided a safety bag8 and the drainage conduit is connected by a suitable flexible hose 9 tothe top of the safety bag 8 so as to drain the escaping fluid out fromthe lining into the safety bag 8. The safety bag 8 has an outlet conduit11 provided with a suitable valve closure 12 whereby the bed 8 can beconnected to a suitable hose for the purpose of further draining theescaped water to some suitable location.

Usually the mattress 1 extends above the top 13 of the bed 3 so as tofacilitate the person going to bed. Consequently if fluid escapes fromthe fluid filled mattress 1 into the bag it ultimately would flow overthe top of the bag. In draining the fluid from the bag the level can beproperly reduced. In fact, all or most of the fluid can be drained outof the bag. As an additional safety measure, a flexible covering 14 isextended over the top of the mattress l as shown in FIG. 1. The edges ofthe lining 4 and the top covering 14 are secured together against thetop of the bed in such a manner as to form waterproof joints, forinstance, suitable blocks 16 are secured over the upper edges of thelining 4 and covering 14 by means of suitable screws 17. The portion of0 the block 16 above or near the filling valve 2 is separately removablefor access to the filling valve 2 when needed. As of the present boththe lining 4 and the cover 14 as well as the auxiliary bag 8 are made ofstrong plastic sheet material so as to be flexible but collapsible.

I claim:

1. The combination with a fluid filled mattress, of

a waterproof container surrounding the bottom and sides of s id mattresand contro ed means ieadmg from the lower portion of said container fordraining fluid escaped from said fluid filled mattress into saidcontainer,

said controlled drainage means including a safety bag,

a drainage connection from the lower portion of said container to saidsafety bag for gravity flow of fluid,

and controlled outlet from said safety bag.

2. The invention specified in claim 1, and

said container including a frame,

and means to form a compartment under said frame to accommodate saidsafety bag.

3. The invention specified in claim 1, and

said container including a frame,

a waterproof lining in the frame,

and said drainage means extending from said waterproof lining throughthe bottom of said frame.

4. The invention specified in claim 1, and

said fluid filled mattress being collapsible.

5. The invention specified in claim 2 and said fluid filled mattress andsaid safety bag each being collapsible.

6. The invention specified in claim 3, and

a waterproof flexible covering secured to said frame near the topthereof over said mattress and being sealed around its edges to preventoverflow of fluid from said container.

1. The combination with a fluid filled mattress, of A WATERPROOFCONTAINER SURROUNDING THE BOTTOM AND SIDES OF SAID MATTRESS, ANDCONTROLLED MEANS LEADING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER FORDRAINING FLUID ESCAPED FROM SAID FLUID FILLED MATTRESS INTO SAIDCONTAINER, SAID CONTROLLED DRAINAGE MEANS INCLUDING A SAFETY BAG, ADRAINAGE CONNECTION FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER TO SAIDSAFETY BAG FOR GRAVITY FLOW OF FLUID, AND CONTROLLED OUTLET FROM SAIDSAFETY BAG.
 2. The invention specified in claim 1, and said containerincluding a frame, and means to form a compartment under said frame toaccommodate said safety bag.
 3. The invention specified in claim 1, andsaid container including a frame, a waterproof lining in the frame, andsaid drainage means extending from said waterproof lining through thebottom of said frame.
 4. The invention specified in claim 1, and saidfluid filled mattress being collapsible.
 5. The invention specified inclaim 2 and said fluid filled mattress and said safety bag each beingcollapsible.
 6. The invention specified in claim 3, and a waterproofflexible covering secured to said frame near the top thereof over saidmattress and being sealed around its edges to prevent overflow of fluidfrom said container.